There’s something truly magical about a Pig Pickin Cake—a nostalgic Southern favorite that’s stood the test of time.
Whether you remember it from church potlucks or family reunions, this Pig Pickin Cake recipe brings back those sweet, sunny memories with every bite. It’s soft, fruity, and layered with creamy goodness that just melts in your mouth.
What sets this Pig Pickin Cake apart is its simplicity. No complicated steps. No fancy ingredients. Just a few pantry staples like mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and a yellow cake mix—combined into a refreshing dessert that feels like home.
This cake isn’t just easy to make—it’s nearly impossible to mess up. That’s why so many Southern families pass down their favorite Pig Pickin Cake recipe from generation to generation.
Looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert for your next barbecue or get-together? You can’t go wrong with this classic Pig Pickin Cake. It’s light, it’s citrusy, and it’s the perfect sweet ending to any meal.
Background & Why This Recipe Stands Out
The Pig Pickin Cake got its fun name from its popularity at Southern pig roasts and backyard barbecues. It’s a classic dessert that’s easy to make, easy to transport, and stays fresh—even on hot summer days.
This fruity, flavorful Pig Pickin Cake combines a boxed yellow cake mix with mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple. The result? A moist, citrusy cake topped with a cool whip frosting that’s light and irresistible.
What sets the Pig Pickin Cake apart is its balance—sweet, tropical, and creamy without being too heavy. It pairs perfectly with BBQ staples like pulled pork, baked beans, and coleslaw.
Need a crowd-pleasing dessert? Pig Pickin Cake is always a hit—whether it’s a summer cookout or a cozy Sunday dinner with Southern favorites.
Jump to:
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- Yellow cake mix
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Mandarin oranges, drained
- Reserved mandarin orange juice
For the Frosting:
- Instant vanilla pudding mix
- Cool Whip, thawed
- Crushed pineapple, drained
- Chopped pecans (optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Make and Bake the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 inch pan
- Mix cake mix, eggs, oil, and mandarin orange juice until smooth
- Fold in drained mandarin oranges gently
- Pour into prepared pan and bake 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean
- Cool completely before frosting
Prepare the Frosting
- Whisk pudding mix with small amount of milk to create smooth paste
- Fold in Cool Whip until light and fluffy
- Gently stir in drained crushed pineapple and pecans if using
Assemble and Chill
- Spread frosting evenly over completely cooled cake
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to set frosting and blend flavors
- Make & Bake the Cake: Mix the cake batter and fold in mandarin oranges before baking
- Prepare the Frosting: Combine Cool Whip, vanilla pudding, and crushed pineapple into a fluffy frosting
- Assemble & Chill: Spread frosting over cooled cake and chill before serving
Equipment For Pig Pickin Cake
- 9x13 inch baking pan - Glass or metal both work well
- Electric mixer - Stand mixer or hand mixer for smooth batter
- Large mixing bowls - For cake batter and frosting preparation
- Rubber spatula - For gentle folding of fruit and frosting
- Wire cooling rack - Allows proper air circulation for cooling
Hints & Expert Cooking Tips
- Drain canned fruits the night before to prevent soggy cake
- Substitute half the oil with melted butter for extra richness
- Add orange zest to batter for more intense citrus flavor
- Never frost a warm cake or Cool Whip will melt
- Let batter rest 5 minutes after mixing for tender crumb
- Chill mixing bowl and beaters before making frosting
Recipe Variations
Creative Flavor Twists
- Tropical Paradise: Add shredded coconut to frosting and use orange cake mix
- Lemon Sunshine: Use lemon cake mix and add fresh lemon zest
- Holiday Cranberry: Fold dried cranberries with mandarin oranges
Dietary Modifications
- Keto-friendly: Use sugar-free mixes, reduce fruit, add extra pecans
- High-protein: Add vanilla protein powder and Greek yogurt
- Vegan: Use egg replacer, plant-based cake mix, dairy-free whipped topping
- Gluten-free: Substitute gluten-free yellow cake mix
Storage
Refrigerator Storage
- Store covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil
- Individual slices keep well in airtight containers
Freezing Instructions
- Freeze unfrosted cake up to 3 months (wrap tightly)
- Complete frosted cake freezes for 1 month
- Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving
Make-Ahead Tips
- Cake improves after 24 hours as flavors meld
- Make day ahead of gatherings for best results
- Brush cooled cake with reserved orange juice before frosting
My Grandmother’s Secret Touch
Want to know what made my grandmother’s Pig Pickin Cake the one everyone talked about? Her secret was simple—but unforgettable. She’d save a bit of the mandarin orange juice and gently brush it over the cooled cake before frosting. That little extra step made the cake incredibly moist and packed with bright, citrusy flavor.
And here’s another tip straight from her kitchen: chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 15 minutes before whipping up the frosting. It helps the Cool Whip hold its shape and gives the frosting that dreamy, fluffy texture we all loved.
These small touches turn a good Pig Pickin Cake into a slice of Southern comfort no one can resist.
FAQ
What is Pig Pickin Cake made of?
Pig Pickin Cake is made with a yellow cake mix, mandarin oranges, eggs, and oil for a moist base. The frosting is a creamy blend of Cool Whip, vanilla pudding, and crushed pineapple. This fruity Southern dessert is light, fluffy, and perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or family gatherings.
Why is it called Pig Licking Cake?
Pig Licking Cake is actually a playful mispronunciation of Pig Pickin Cake. It’s named for its popularity at pig roasts or “pig pickin’” events in the South. The sweet, fruity flavors are so irresistible, people joke you’ll be “licking” your plate clean—hence the nickname
Why is it called a Pig Pickin?
A “Pig Pickin” is a Southern barbecue tradition where a whole roasted pig is served, and guests pick the meat straight from it. Pig Pickin Cake became a favorite at these gatherings because it’s light, refreshing, and easy to serve at outdoor events—earning it the name “Pig Pickin Cake.”
What is the most delicious cake in the world?
Taste is subjective, but many Southerners consider Pig Pickin Cake one of the most delicious cakes ever. Its moist mandarin orange base, pineapple whipped topping, and refreshing fruit flavors make it a standout dessert—especially at potlucks and family events. It’s sweet, creamy, and always a crowd-pleaser.
A Sweet Slice of Southern Tradition
This Pig Pickin Cake recipe is more than just dessert—it’s a slice of Southern hospitality made easy. With its simple ingredients, bright citrus flavor, and crowd-pleasing charm, it’s the perfect treat for potlucks, Sunday dinners, or anytime you want to share something special.
Even beginner bakers will love how effortlessly this old-fashioned favorite comes together. Whether you're making it for a summer cookout or just craving something light and fruity, this easy Pig Pickin Cake is a guaranteed hit.
Don’t stop here—if you’re craving more sweet inspiration, try our cozy Easy Spice Cake Recipe or dive into the rich layers of our Decadent Chocolate Cannoli Cake Recipe.
Have you added your own twist to the Pig Pickin Cake? Share your version in the comments, post your cake photos, and let us know how it turned out. And if you loved it, don’t forget to rate the recipe—it helps others find it too!
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Pig Pickin Cake
Pig Pickin Cake
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch baking pan Glass or metal
- 1 Electric mixer Stand or hand mixer
- 2 Large mixing bowls For batter and frosting
- 1 Rubber spatula For folding ingredients
- 1 Wire cooling rack To cool the cake completely
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 4 eggs large
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 can mandarin oranges drained, reserve juice
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix 3.4 oz
- 1 container Cool Whip thawed, 8 oz
- 1 can crushed pineapple drained
- ½ cup chopped pecans optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven.
- Mix cake ingredients.
- Fold in oranges.
- Bake cake.
- Cool completely.
- Prepare frosting.
- Combine frosting ingredients.
- Spread frosting.
- Chill cake.
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